No clear answers about Yvonne McDonald's death as independent investigation wraps up

Three years after Yvonne McDonald's death, her family still holds no clear answers following an independent review commissioned by the City of Olympia.

During the Olympia City Council meeting on Tue., Nov. 16, City Manager Jay Burney confirmed that Frey Buck, a Seattle-based law firm, had completed an independent investigation surrounding McDonald's death.

Burney shared that despite numerous interviews with detectives, medical staff, and members of the victim's family, the investigation still failed to provide a "satisfying conclusion." In a prepared statement he read, Burney said, "I wanted to thank Frey Buck for their diligence in raising new questions and exploring new avenues." He continued, "Unfortunately, those avenues did not elicit any relevant information that would definitely explain her injuries and subsequent death."

In August of 2018, McDonald was found breathing heavily on the front lawn of a vacant home by a street sweeper driving in the area. Her shirt was undone, and her underwear was pulled out. The street sweeper called 911 although he did not approach the victim.

The 56-year old died in the hospital that night, with the coroner listing the cause of her death as blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Based on the police report, the pathologist indicated that her death is consistent with a fall, although they cannot rule out the possibility of an assault.

According to the law firm's final report, they have concluded that McDonald's death is a "tragic accident". Frey Buck also believed that no community member was involved in her death. Burney clarified, "Despite rumors to the contrary, no employee of the city of Olympia was involved, and there is zero evidence to support the claims that the street sweeper could be blamed for Ms. McDonald's injury."

In response, a non-governmental organization, Justice for Yvonne McDonald, slammed the report, stating that her family do not recognize the city's actions as "legitimate". In a Facebook post, the group wrote, "The family of Yvonne McDonald have demanded an INDEPENDENT investigation of her murder.  The city hired a law firm with the intention of protecting the city, not investigating on the behalf of Yvonne's family. This is NOT justice."

Despite the lack of clear answers, Burney made it clear that the case is not yet closed. He also appealed to anyone who can provide information surrounding McDonald's, or had seen her in the days before her death. "Absent any information, we don't feel any additional steps we can take to bring the investigation to a satisfying conclusion," Burney stated.